Machine for making tubes from hollow ingots



(N0 Mfldel.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

' S. P. M. TASKER. v MAGHINBPOR MAKING TUBES FROM HOLLOW INGOTS.

No. 331,579. Patented Dec. 1, 1885.

WITNESSES:

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s. P. M. TA-SKER. MACHINE FOR MAKING TUBES PROM HOLLOW INGOTS;

No. 331,579. Patented Dec. 1, 1885.

WITNESSES:

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3 SheetsSheet 3.

* MAGHINHPOR MAKING TUBES PROM HOLLOW INGOTS.

Patented Dec. 1, 1885.

WITNESSES INVENTOR I UNITED [STATES T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN P. M. TASKER, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Machines for Making Tubes from Hollow Metal Ingots and for Reducing Tubes or Rods, of which the following is a specification.

ikpartfrom the intended employment of my machine for reducing and also for straightening tubes and rods, the object of my invention is the manufacture of a tube from a hollow cylindriform metal ingot by rolling, either hot or cold, by means of the machine herenafter described, the said ingot down and out upon a mandrel at least of the required ength of the tube to be formed, thereby com- Pacting and consolidating the substance of the metal of the ingot,.thinning or reducing the latter in thickness, and elongating-it until the required proportions are attained. The inot-s which I. employ are tubular, or of a holcylindriform structure, of any metal, and either open at both ends, closed at one end, or sed at one end and provided through such closed end with an aperture for the tractionrod of a mandrel.

As my machine isof especial applicabilty to the making of steel tubes, 1 contemplate also the employment of asteel cast ingot of a character invented by me, two applications for patents for which were filed in the United States Patent Office upon the 14th day of May, 1885, and respectively numbered 165,695 and 165,696.

Heretofore in the art of metal, rolling two or more pairs or sets of equal sized concave-faced rolls, the two rolls constituting the respective sets or pairs of which, being placed the one over the other, have crossed each otherthat is to'say, have been adjusted in such manner that vertical planes respeetivelyprojected from their respective longitudinal axes have intersected each other at other than a right angle-have been in successive disposition in the same machine employed for rounding, straightening, and sizing tubes and rods, the said tubes or rods having been passed 50 through the passes of the successive sets in a PATENT Oneida STEPHEN P. M. TASKER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

MACHINE FOR MAKING TUBES FROM HOLLOW INGOTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 331,579, dated December 1,188

Application filed July 22. 1885. Serial No. 172,277. (No model.)

direction which may, for the purposes of ex planation, be described as right angular to a common imaginary longitudinal axis of each pair of rolls, or in a direction much more nearly right angular to than parallel with the longitudinal axis ofeach individual roll of each pair. I-Ieretofore, also, in the art of metal rolling two or three equal'sized rolls having concave working -faces have been arranged in a suitable housing obliquely side by side, or one over the other, or spirally, as it were, around a common central imaginary longitudinal axis of the set, so that the axes of the respective rolls forming such set have been inclined to each other in different planes, and each and all at an angle to the said common longitudinal axis, which is that of the article I the rolls, which all revolve in the same direction, and not only form the article to a true cylindrical shape, but atthe same time feed it forward.

Assuming a set of rolls of the character last above described as a given type, I may assume a set of rolls of the character first above described as another given type, and may define the distinguishing characteristic of the two types to be the direction in which the article to be rolled is passed through the set of rolls that is to say, whether it be passed through them in a direction right angular to what we may term their common axis, as in the case of the rolls first described, or parallel or coincident with said common axis, as in the case of the rolls last above described.

I have discovered that a superior merchantable tube of metal, but especially that a steel tube, can be economically and successfully manufactured either from a tubular metal ingot, or especially from a hollow steel cast ingot, and also that a tube or rod of metal can be successfully reduced in diameter or straightened by the employment of a machine consisting of a set of concave-faced rolls composed of a series of three or more rolls arranged at an angle to each other, and each roll at a common angle to its neighbor, so that the concave surfaces of all of the rolls form a circular pass, and in passing over the surface of the tube or rod hug it like a swage and touch it at every part, and all of which rolls are idler-rolls and are adapted to be revolved in opposite directions by the friction ofthe article passed through them.

In employing the foregoing machine for making tubes from ingots, a mandrel adapted to be rotated with the ingot upon it, and at least of the required length of the tube to be formed from said ingot, is passed through the pass of the set in a direction right angular to their common face plane or axis, as I for convenience term it, upon which mandrel the substance of the metal of the ingot is by the rolls compacted and consolidated and the ingot itself thinned or reduced in thickness and elongated until the required proportions are attained. A rod or tube to be reduced or straightened is also passed through in a similar direction.

Apparatus embodying a good form of my invention is represented in the accompanying drawings and described in this specification, the particular subj cot-matter claimed as novel being hereinafterdefinitely specified.

In'the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a face elevational end view of a set of rolls embodying my invention, and composed of a series of three similarly-inclined overlapping rolls of the character hereinafter described, sight being taken in'a direction right angular to the common face plane or axis of the set. The view is in the nature of a fragmentary detail, but part of two of the rolls being shown, The view also represents in section (not, however, to exactly correct proportions and curvatures) the two opposite segmental framingplates, in connection with which the roll, which is shown complete, is housed,together with boxings for thejournals of the said roll, and an adj usting-arm connected with one of said boxin gs. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying my invention, and composed of a set of rolls composed of a series of three rolls of'the character represented in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a central vertical longitudinal side sectional elevation through the apparatus of Fig. 2, one of the rolls, however, not being shown in section. Fig. at is a perspective view of the set of rolls represented in Figs. 2 and 3, sight being however taken from the opposite side from that from which sight in Fig. 2 is taken. Fig. 5is a fragmentary partially-sectional partially-elevational detail of a rotatable mandrel U which I find it convenient to employ when em-' ploying my machine for making tubes from hollow metal ingots.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre-- bed or foundation for supporting the housings within which therolls are journaled.

T is a tube, the direction of movement of which is represented by the arrow in the drawings.

In the drawings no representation is made of any means forhandling, or, if desired, for occasioning the advance or retraction of the tube, for the reason that I assume such representation to be unnecessary, as any device for manipulating the tube ,into the pass of the rails is adapted for employment. device is, however, to be employed. w

B B are transverse vertical standards, between which are disposed frame-plates O for supporting the boxings or bearings, or the journals or axles of the rolls, and which in the region of their support of said hearings or journals are conveniently curved, so as to be of suitable segmental form to facilitate a move ment of the boxings or journals of the rolls for the adjustment of said rolls. In the form of apparatus shown, in which there are three rolls to the set, there are conveniently six frame-plates between the standards,the frameplates and standards together constituting simply a framing for the support of the rolls. The rolls of the set are marked D, and are respectively inclined to each other, (it being preferable that the angle should be as slight as possible) so that the axis of each roll is inclined with respect to the axis of the adjoining rolls, and the axis of each roll possesses an inclination corresponding to that of the axis of every other roll. The rolls, therefore,

may be said to similarly overlap. Their relative positions, from which there can be no departure except by mutual adjustment,are fully represented in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The journ'aling or mounting of the rolls and the means for adjusting them are as follows: Each roll is, as stated, concave as to its central portion or acting face, to which face or portion theletters D arein Fig. 1 shown applied. Each roll is on each end,beyond its central portion, prolonged, and the prolongations, together constituting shafts of the roll, are composed of conical portions "d and cylindrical portions (1 Beyond the said cylindrical portions each roll is provided with journals or axles d, all as clearly represented in said Fig. 1. The journals are conveniently incased in boxings F, which are mounted so as to have a movement in slots or ways G, formed in the frame-plates of the housing. If desired, the boxings' can be dispensed with and the journals be simply entered within said slots. I prefer, however, to employ boxings. The curvature of the segmental portions of the frame-plates is similar as to all the plates,

and struck from a radius equal to one-half of' the length of each roll, so that the length of each roll between its frame-plates is conveniently equal to a diametric line between two Some such opposite frame-plates which support a given roll. The rolls are so mounted that their conical portions respectively face, as representcdin Fig. 1.

, In order conveniently to effectuate the movement of the rolls, so as to slightly alter their relative angular disposition, and thereby enlarge or contract the diametric extent of the pass formed between them, I have connected with each boxing,or with the axles of the rolls, an adjusting-arm, H, which is conveniently passed through aslotted flange, I, erected from or connected with a frame-plate, the said arm being threaded and provided with lock-nuts 2', whereby the arm, and consequently the boxings and the journals of the rolls, can be locked in predetermined adjusted positions.

In the drawings, for clearness of illustration,I have represented the adjusting-arms as applied to but one end of each roll. It is however to be understood that they are applied to each journal or boxing of each end of each roll. By virtue of the slots or ways in the said metal fra1ne-plates and the adjusting arms the movement of the rolls of each set for increasing or diminishing the diameters of their passes becomes both certain and easy. The slots or ways in opposite frame-plates are disposed at a slight angle to each other,so as to facilitate the movements of the rolls in adjustment.

A suitable arrangement or disposition of the frame-plates and the slots therein is represented in the drawings.

The slots 01' ways for the journals of the rolls and the nut-provided adj usting-arms connected with the axle-boxings in said ways to gether constitute simply a composite rolladjusting contrivance, the office of which is to permit of and render easy the adjustment of the rolls at different relative anglesyso that the rolls may approach more closely together or separate so as "to increase or diminish the diametric extent of the pass between them and adapt them for employment with tubes or rods of varying diameters. Any other adjusting device opera-ting to a similar result may, however, be substituted in the stead of the foregoing. When axle-boxings are not employed, means for retaining the journals of the rolls in fixed positions must be applied direct to the journals. The tube, rod, or other article which is passed through the rolls actuates them, and is rapidly and evenly reduced, the whole rolling-surface of each roll bearing upon the said tube, touching it at every part, rolling out inequalities, and causing it to take on a spiral progressive motion in its passage through the machine.

W'henmy machine is employed for making tubes, by using in connection with it a mandrel, P, at least as long as the tube to be formed, the said mandrel is conveniently adapted to be rotated by being swiveled in a mandrel head, Q, Fig. 5, which is actuated to its advancement or retraction by any such means as are well known to iron-masters.

O are bell-mouths for guiding the tube in its passage through the-machine.

Having now described what I believe to be a convenient embodiment of my invention, and at the same' time described the operation of'the machine, it is proper for me to add that I believe myself to be the first to use a mandrel capable of rotation aboutits longitudinal axis and of the length of the tube which is to be produced, in conjunction with a set of three or more correspondingly angularly disposed or overlapping concave-faced idler-rolls, by which arrangement it is possible to reduce the external diameterof an ingot placed upon the mandrel, and, if desired, by adjusting the rolls after each pass, to effect a continued reduction until said ingot becomes a tube of the desired thickness of substance and of no greater length than the mandrel.

It is of course obvious that while the housing for containing and the means for retaining the adjusted rolls which I have represented and described are well adapted for the purpose, yet they are not essential to my invention. The special adjusting devices described, or others operating to substantially the same result, however, permit of the ad justment of the rolls to accommodate any size of article to be rolled within their range of separation.

The spiral or revolving progressive motion to which an ingot on a mandrel, and with it the mandrel to which it for the time being adheres, or to which a tube or rod under process of reduction is subjected, prevents finning or irregularities of any kind, and therefore tends to produce a uniformly-cylindric and very marketable product.

\Nhen a mandrel is employed, it may be extracted from the tube after rolling by stretching the tube, by loosening the mandrel, and by extracting the latter by any suitable means.

It is obvious that my machine is to be contradistingnished from a machine of the class hereinbefore referred to, in which two or three equal -sized" rolls having concave workingfaces have been arranged in a suitable h0ns-, ing obliquely side by side, or one over the other, or spirally, as it were, around a common central imaginary longitudinal axis of the set, and in which the pass of the set is extended longitudinally between or through, so to speak, the rolls, as in machines of the foregoing class. The bearing being only, as to each roll, upon a line, and each roll revolving in the same direction, the capacity for reduction is reduced to-a minimum, and the machine adapted for straightening only; whereas in my machine, in which the rolls are disposed at as small an angle as possible, the rolls, as to their acting faces, completely encircle the tube and maintain it as if in a swage, instead of biting upon it in a series of longitudinal straight lines of pressure, between which lines there is no contact of the rolls with the tube, so that there is nothing to prevent the tube from spreading between the said lines of bite.

IIO

My rolls act in reducing the metal much as the rolls of ordinary rolling-mills, with, however, the advantage of a revolution being imparted to the tube, so as to cause the uniform reduction and truing of its surfaces.

WVhile I have represented and herein described the set of rolls as being composed of a series consisting of but three rolls, it is yet proper for me to state that I do not restrict myself to the employment of a series consisting of but three rolls, as it will be obvious to any mechanic that four, five, or even a greater number of rolls may be, under suitable modifications of housing and means of adjustment, employed to produce the same result as that which I obtain by the use of the said three rolls. Of course many minor changes in the mounting and mode of adjustment of the parts Would have to be resorted to; but, as is obvious, the feature of a set of concave-faced rolls, all of the rolls of which are arranged at an angle to each other, and each roll at a common angle to its neighbor, so that the concave surfaces of all of the rolls form a circular pass through which the article to be rolled is passed in a direction right angular to the common face plane or axis of the set, and all of which rolls are adapted to revolve in opposite directions, which is the most important feature of my invention,would be preserved in any such arrangement of increased series.

I do not claim or seek herein, in connection with other features of invention, to cover the provision of positive mechanism for driving the rolls, as the same is made a feature of another application, designated by me Case 0, No. 2," and executed and filed contemporaneously with this application.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. Inamachineformakingtubesfromhollow metal ingots,or for reducing tubes or rods of metal, the combination of a series of three or more concave-faced rolls arranged at an angle to each other,and each roll at a common angle to its neighbors, so that the concave surfaces of all the rolls form a circular pass, through which the article to be rolled is passed in a direction right angular to the common axis of the set, and all of such rolls. are adapted to revolve in opposite directions, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a machine for making tubes from hollow metal ingots,or for reducing tubes or rods of metal, the combination of a series of three or more concave-faced rolls arranged at an angle to each other, and each roll at a common angle to its neighbors, so that the concave surfaces of all of the rolls form a circular pass, through which the article to be rolled is passed in a direction right angular to the common axis of the set, and all of such rolls are adapted to revolve in opposite direct-ions, and frameplates for the journals of the rolls, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a machine for making tubes from hollow metal ingots or for reducing tubes or rods of metal, the combination of a series of three or more concave-faced rolls arranged at an angle to each other, and each roll at a common angle to its neighbors, so that the concave surfaces of all of the rolls form a circular pass,

through which the article to be rolledis passed in a direction right angular to the common axis of the set, and all of such rolls are adapted to revolve in opposite directions, and suitable means for advancing and retracting the article to be rolled through the pass of the rolls in a direction right angular to the common axis of said rolls, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4:. Inamachine for making tubes from hollow metal ingots,or for reducing tubes or rods of metal, the combination of a series of three or more concave-faced rolls arranged at an angle to each other, and each roll at a common angle to its neighbors, so that the concave surfaces of all of the rolls form a circular pass, through which the article to he rolled is passed in a direction right angular to the common axis of the set, and all adapted to revolve in opposite directions, frame-plates for thejournals of the rolls, and suitable means for advancing and retracting the article to be rolled through the pass of the rolls in a direction right angular to the common axis of said rolls, substantially as and forthe purposes set forth.

5. In a machine for making tubes from hollow metal ingots, or for reducing tubes or rods of metal, the combination of a series of three or more concave-faced rolls arranged at an angle to each other, and each roll at a common angle to its neighbors, so that the concave surfaces of all of the rolls form a circular pass,

through which the article to'be rolled is passed in a direction right angular to the common axis of the set, and all adapted to revolve in opposite directions, frame-plates forthejournals of the rolls, and means for securing the fixed adjustment of the journals of the rolls with respect to their frame-plates, the arrangement being thereby such that each roll is capable of an independent adjustment, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a machine for making tubes from hollow metal ingots, or for reducing tubes or rods of metal, the combination of a series of three or more concave-faced rolls arranged at an angle to each other, and each roll at a comin on angle to its neighbors, so that the concave surfaces of all of the rolls form a circular pass, through which the article to be rolled is passed in a direction right angular to the common axis of the set, and all of such rolls are adapted to revolve in opposite directions, slotted frame-plates for the journals of the rolls, and adj usting-arms connected with the journals of the rolls and with the framing, the arrangement being thereby such that each set of the rolls is capable of an independent adj ustment, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7 In a machine for making tubes from hollow metal ingots, or for reducing tubes or rods of metal, the combination of a series of three or more concave-faced rolls arranged at an angle to each other, and each roll at a common angle to its neighbors, so that the concave surfaces of all of the rolls form a circular pass, through which the article to be rolled is passed in a direction right angular to the common axis of the set, and all of such rolls are adapted to revolve in opposite directions, slotted segmental frame-plates for the journals of the rolls, means for securing the fixed adjnstment of the journals of the rolls with re angle to each other, and each roll at a common angle to its neighbors, so that the concave surfaces of all of the rolls form a circular pass,

through which the article to be rolled is passed in a direction right angular to the common axis of the set, and allot such rolls are adapted to revolvein opposite directions, slotted segmental frameplates for the journals of the rolls, adjusting-arms connected with the journals of the rolls and with the framing, the arrangement being thereby such that each set of rolls is capable of an independent adjustment, and suitable means, substantially as set forth, for advancing and retracting the article to be rolled through the pass of the rolls in a direction right angular to the common axis of said rolls, substantially as and for the purposes set, forth. i

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 17th day of July, A. D. 1885.

STEPHEN P. M. TASKER.

In presence of- J. BONSALL TAYLOR, J OHN J OLLEY, Jr.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 331,579, granted December 1, 1885, upon the application of Stephen .P. M. Tasker, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for an improvement in Machines for Making Tubes from Hollow ingots, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction, as follows: On page 4, lines 50, 62, 75, and 125, and page 5, lines 9 114K131, for such read which; also page 4, in line 91 and in line 108, insert the words of which rolls are after the word aih and that the Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may eonforrn t0 the record of the ease in the Patent Office.

Signed, countersigued, and sealed this 24th day of August, A. D. 1886.

[SEAL] D. L. HAWKINS,

Acting Secretary of the Interipr. Oountersigned;

R. B. VANCE,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

